He said that ‘despite other UK airports having spare capacity, only Heathrow can deliver daily, direct flights to emerging economies that will help Britain win in the global race for growth.’

‘Gatwick can’t, Heathrow can,’ he added. Rivalry between the two airports has been hotting up as they compete for favour in Sir Howard Davies’ review of airport capacity.

And Gatwick pointed to its own growth as evidence that it should be chosen.

Some 4.1million passengers used Gatwick in July, up 6 per cent year on year and 10.5 per cent for European routes alone. North Atlantic traffic grew by 6.6 per cent, largely thanks to Norwegian Airlines’ new low-cost flights to the US.

Gatwick chief financial officer Nick Dunn said: ‘Building a third runway at Heathrow will diminish the choice available to British passengers, making it more expensive to go on holiday, to travel for business and to export goods and services.’

He said Britain would benefit more by having ‘two world-class airports’ than by backing Heathrow alone.